Teen killed, 5 wounded in Mall of Louisiana shooting

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Six individuals had been wounded and one of them, a 17-year-old, died after gunfire ranged out in the meals court docket space of ​​the Mall of Louisiana on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge about 1:22 pm Thursday.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office recognized the teenager killed as Martha Odom.

Signi Dreyer, who works on the carousel contained in the mall, mentioned she was cleansing when she heard gunshots and noticed a gunman “turning in circles and shooting.” She mentioned it appeared the individual was “shooting randomly.”

“I heard a loud bang and then another loud bang,” Dreyer mentioned. “At first, I thought someone was shooting fireworks in the food court. I turned around, and I saw people dropping to the ground, and I immediately saw the gun.”

Police mentioned the gunfire was the consequence of a confrontation between two teams and never a random shooting. Within hours, authorities introduced 5 suspects had been in custody, together with one arrested in Livingston Parish.

During a information replace on Friday, police introduced they arrested one suspect and charged him with homicide. The different detainees usually are not dealing with expenses presently.

Police additionally launched a picture of an individual nonetheless wished.

Sheriff Jason Ard with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office instructed investigators can’t affirm The individual detained earlier in Watson, now recognized as Marcus Washington, 18, was concerned in the shooting. Ard mentioned Washington was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center after investigators discovered him in possession of Schedule II narcotics and a firearm.

Ard additionally added that the investigation stays ongoing and questions concerning the mall shooting must be directed to the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse mentioned all six victims seem to have been harmless bystanders and never half of the confrontation. “The incident that transpired today is completely unacceptable,” Morse mentioned.

Morse declined to establish the victims Thursday night, saying he wished to permit time for his or her households to be notified.

At least three of the wounded had been from a highschool in Lafayette, Louisiana, leaders in that metropolis confirmed.

“The victims include three seniors from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette,” Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet mentioned in an announcement. “We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that happened,” Boulet mentioned.

Morse urged members of the general public to come back ahead with any data they could have, together with movies which may present the shooting or its aftermath.

In a Thursday night information convention, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards praised the immediate response of legislation enforcement and paramedics to a “chaotic and dangerous” scenario. “Violence like this will not be tolerated in Baton Rouge,” Edwards mentioned.

A Baton Rouge police officer was on patrol in the mall when the incident occurred, authorities mentioned.

Morse mentioned he believes extra suspects are on the market. “In no way is this investigation over, and we do believe more people are involved,” Morse mentioned.

Charles Koger, assistant particular agent in cost of the FBI’s New Orleans Division, mentioned the FBI is offering a supporting position and can present any wanted assets.

The Mall of Louisiana confirmed it is going to be closed on Friday, April 24.

Sheriff Sid Gautreaux with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office issued an announcement:

Our Lady of the Lake Hospital issued an announcement:

Multiple officers have launched statements concerning the shooting:

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry launched statement on Friday condemning the “violence that has shaken our community.”

Furthermore, she mentioned in half:

This is a creating story. Check again for updates.

Click here to report a typo. Please embody the headline.

Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News day by day digest and breaking information alerts delivered straight to your e-mail inbox.

Watch the most recent WAFB information and climate now.